Would a 2012 MBP still be enough?

[Unhyper]

I have 3 iDevices, a Win10 PC, and a 27" 1440p monitor. Since Windows 10 is becoming increasingly unpleasant to work with, I'm considering returning to macOS. I used to own an iMac about 5-6 years ago but gave it up to build a Win10 machine #becausegaming. Well it turns out that I don't game that much anymore and I'd really just like a more cohesive desktop experience.

Due to current budgetary restraints I am relegated to two options: buying a new current model Mac Mini (baseline setup), or using a 2012 MacBook Pro (non-Retina) that my brother gave me because it was broken and he thought it unfixable. Turns out the only issue with the MBP is a one bad RAM slot (the one closest to the keyboard) so I just have one 4 GB stick in now that I could replace with an 8 GB one I suppose. I have an SSD for it, as well as a Magic Mouse and an Apple keyboard. The battery on this thing isn't in the greatest shape but it'd be in perpetual clamshell mode use anyway.

Thus my question is this: which would make a better desktop system, especially considering I need it to power a 27" 1440p display (assuming the MBP can handle this)? I take diligent backups but my concern with the MPB is its age in general. Is it going to perform worse than a current Mac Mini?

I know with the purchase of a new machine you get the peace of mind of having warranty and somesuch, plus the assumed guarantee of being future-proof for High Sierra. It's just that I've not been ecstatic about the Minis since they went dual-core. Seems like you get less for more now with them...

The use would not be gaming but typical desktop use.

 

[Audit13]

Pros for the mid-2012 13" MBP IMHO:

1. user-replaceable parts;
2. has 2 USB 3.0 so backups to a USB 3.0 drive should not be an issue;
3. very fast with an SSD in place of the mechanical boot drive;
4. remove the DVD drive and replace it with a DVD hard drive caddy and large mechanical drive for storage;
5. third-party battery is readily available;
6. compatible with Sierra and High Sierra; and
7. 2560 by 1600 max resolution with an external monitor.

I don't really see much in the way of cons as you'll be using it in "desktop" mode.

 

[ZapNZs]

I think whether this is a 13 or 15, that either model will absolutely meet your needs. Even if this system doesn't give you another 5 years of service, the price is right making the financial risk very low. If you plan to run Sierra, the 8GB upgrade is IMO an absolute necessity.

If it is a 15-inch (base model w/SSD), it will outperform the Mac Mini base model w/ SSD (and flagship model w/SSD, for that matter) by a significant margin with Apps that are multithreaded.

If it is a 13-inch (base model w/SSD), the difference between it and the Mac Mini should not be significant enough to justify spending the much larger amount of money on the Mini if pricing is a concern. One 1440 display in clamshell mode should not be a problem at all for even the base 13-inch's GPU.

If this is a 13-inch, replacing the SATA cable when you upgrade to the SSD might be worthwhile if it has not yet been replaced under the replacement program.

If you wanted a general assessment of overall health, you could take this unit to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider and request they perform a diagnostic on the system called MRI. (There is no charge for doing this.)